Joao Felix Reflects on Playing Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as 1,000 Goals Near

Joao Felix has reflected on his unusual football journey with Cristiano Ronaldo, explaining why sharing the pitch with Portugal’s legendary forward is an experience that very few players can claim.

The two Portuguese attackers are currently teammates at both international and club level. Their relationship has developed further since Felix joined Al-Nassr from Chelsea last summer, giving him the opportunity to work with Ronaldo throughout the domestic season as well as during Portugal’s international fixtures.

The partnership has already produced a significant achievement. Felix was part of the Al-Nassr squad that won the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League, securing Ronaldo’s first competitive title with the Saudi Arabian club.

Ronaldo is now entering another important stage of his career. After adding three goals for Al-Nassr during the early part of the 2026-27 season, the 41-year-old has reached 979 goals for club and country and is only 21 away from the 1,000-goal milestone.

Joao Felix Explains Why Playing With Ronaldo Is So Special

For Felix, the opportunity to play with Ronaldo has a unique meaning because he belongs to a generation of Portuguese players who grew up watching the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as an inspiration.

Ronaldo has been a central figure in Portuguese football for many years. Felix now finds himself sharing dressing rooms with the player he once watched from a distance, both for the national team and at club level.

Felix highlighted the rarity of that situation when discussing Ronaldo ahead of Portugal’s Nations League match against Norway. His comments reflected both admiration for the veteran and an awareness that opportunities to play alongside a player at this stage of his career will not last indefinitely.

The relationship became even more notable after Felix moved to Al-Nassr. Instead of working with Ronaldo only during international breaks, Felix can now train and play alongside him throughout an entire club season.

That has allowed the two forwards to build a closer understanding on the pitch while competing for trophies together in Saudi Arabia.

Felix Helped Ronaldo Win His First Al-Nassr League Title

One of the most important moments of their club partnership came during the 2025-26 season, when Al-Nassr won the Saudi Pro League.

Felix joined the Saudi club from Chelsea last summer and became part of a team led by Ronaldo. The league triumph was particularly significant for the Portugal captain because it represented his first competitive title with Al-Nassr.

For Felix, being part of that achievement added another layer to his relationship with Ronaldo. The younger forward was not simply playing alongside his national-team captain; he was also helping him pursue a club trophy that had remained an objective since his arrival in Saudi Arabia.

The achievement has also given Felix a memorable early chapter at Al-Nassr. His move placed him alongside one of the biggest names in world football, while the team ultimately delivered a major domestic trophy.

That experience could become increasingly valuable as Felix continues to develop his role for both club and country.

Felix Scores as Portugal Beat Wales 1-0

Felix and Ronaldo recently started together for Portugal in the team’s 1-0 UEFA Nations League victory over Wales in Lisbon.

Felix proved to be the match-winner, scoring Portugal’s only goal during the first half. Ronaldo started the game but was unable to add another goal to his international tally.

The Portugal captain had an early opportunity that he could not convert. His second-half effort was later ruled out following a VAR review for offside.

Despite Ronaldo not finding the net, Portugal secured the victory and began their Nations League title defence with three points.

The match was also an important moment for new head coach Jorge Jesus, who began his reign with a narrow win.

Felix’s decisive contribution demonstrated that Portugal can receive match-winning performances from players around Ronaldo while still benefiting from the veteran’s experience and attacking presence.

Ronaldo Is Now on 979 Career Goals

While Felix’s comments focused on their relationship, Ronaldo’s pursuit of 1,000 career goals remains one of the biggest individual storylines surrounding the Portuguese star.

Ronaldo started the 2026-27 campaign with 976 goals for club and country. Three goals for Al-Nassr have since taken his total to 979.

That means he requires another 21 goals to reach 1,000.

The four-figure target would mark another major statistical landmark in a career that has already featured numerous scoring records across domestic competitions and international football.

Although Ronaldo is now in the later stages of his career, his continued involvement for Al-Nassr and Portugal means the possibility of reaching 1,000 remains a major talking point.

Ronaldo’s Start to the 2026-27 Season

Ronaldo has scored three times for Al-Nassr during the opening seven matches of the 2026-27 campaign across competitions.

All three of those goals have come in the Saudi Pro League, where he has scored in six appearances.

After seven league matches, Al-Nassr are two points behind leaders Al-Hilal. The title race therefore remains open, with Ronaldo and Felix among the attacking players expected to contribute throughout the season.

Ronaldo’s scoring numbers will be closely followed not only because of Al-Nassr’s domestic ambitions but also because every goal brings him closer to 1,000.

For Felix, meanwhile, the challenge will be to establish himself as an important attacking option alongside Ronaldo and contribute consistently during the campaign.

Ronaldo Also Scored Three Times at the 2026 World Cup

Before returning to club football for the new season, Ronaldo scored three goals in five appearances for Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The tournament was held across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Portugal’s campaign ended in the Round of 16 after a 1-0 defeat to Spain, who eventually went on to win the competition.

Ronaldo’s three goals at the tournament contributed to his career total and ensured he remained a significant attacking figure for Portugal despite the team’s early exit.

The World Cup also formed part of the wider context behind his current 979-goal tally. His continued scoring at international level has allowed him to remain within touching distance of the 1,000 mark.

What Ronaldo’s Presence Means for Felix

Felix’s comments offer an insight into how Ronaldo is viewed by a younger Portuguese player who has gone from watching him as an idol to sharing the field with him.

That transition is unusual in professional football. Players often grow up admiring established stars, but only a small number eventually become teammates with those same figures.

Felix has experienced that progression twice. His Portugal career has placed him alongside Ronaldo internationally, while his move to Al-Nassr has created the same partnership at club level.

The situation also gives Felix access to Ronaldo’s experience during one of the most distinctive phases of the veteran’s career. Ronaldo is no longer at the beginning of his journey, but he remains a major attacking figure and continues to pursue personal and team objectives.

For Felix, playing alongside him could therefore provide both competitive opportunities and valuable experience as he continues his own career.

Portugal Enter Another Nations League Campaign

Portugal’s immediate attention is now on Norway, with the two teams meeting in Oslo on September 27.

The match represents another opportunity for Ronaldo and Felix to start together under Jorge Jesus, depending on the coach’s selection.

Portugal began their title defence with the narrow win over Wales, meaning another positive result would strengthen their position early in the campaign.

Ronaldo will be looking to contribute after failing to score against Wales, while Felix will enter the match after providing the winning goal in the previous fixture.

The attacking balance between the two will be one of the interesting elements to watch. Ronaldo remains Portugal’s most experienced attacking figure, while Felix represents a younger option capable of creating and finishing chances.

Al-Nassr’s Title Challenge Adds Another Dimension

The relationship between Felix and Ronaldo is not limited to international football. Their daily work at Al-Nassr gives them an extended opportunity to develop an understanding that can benefit the Saudi club.

Al-Nassr’s position just two points behind Al-Hilal after seven league matches means there is little separating the leading sides at this stage of the season.

The club will need contributions from its key attacking players if it wants to remain involved in the title race. Ronaldo’s goals will naturally attract much of the attention, but Felix can provide another source of creativity and attacking output.

Their partnership will therefore be important beyond the personal milestone surrounding Ronaldo. Al-Nassr’s objective is to compete for trophies, while Ronaldo’s individual target continues to develop alongside those team ambitions.

Why the 1,000-Goal Target Is Significant

Ronaldo reaching 1,000 goals would be a major numerical milestone in a career defined by remarkable scoring longevity.

His ability to continue adding goals at 41 has allowed the target to remain realistic. However, the remaining 21 goals will still require consistent appearances and scoring contributions over a substantial number of matches.

The timing will depend on several factors, including Ronaldo’s playing schedule, international fixtures and his continued role at Al-Nassr.

Rather than being a single-match achievement, the pursuit is therefore likely to remain a season-long storyline. Each goal will gradually reduce the distance between Ronaldo and the four-figure mark.

Felix Could Be Part of Ronaldo’s Historic Next Chapter

Felix’s comments also highlight the possibility that he could be alongside Ronaldo during another memorable moment in the veteran’s career.

If Ronaldo reaches 1,000 goals while Felix remains at Al-Nassr or continues to represent Portugal alongside him, the younger forward could witness the milestone from inside the same dressing room rather than as a spectator.

That would add another unusual chapter to a relationship that already spans international and club football.

For now, however, the focus remains on the immediate schedule. Portugal have Nations League matches to navigate, while Al-Nassr continue their domestic campaign and attempt to close the gap on Al-Hilal.

Final Verdict

Joao Felix’s remarks underline just how unusual his football journey with Cristiano Ronaldo has become. A player who grew up watching Ronaldo as a Portuguese football icon is now sharing the pitch with him for both Portugal and Al-Nassr.

The partnership has already delivered a Saudi Pro League title, while Felix recently became the match-winner in Portugal’s 1-0 Nations League victory over Wales.

For Ronaldo, the central storyline is now the chase for 1,000 career goals. With 979 goals for club and country, he needs only 21 more to reach the landmark.

As Portugal continue their Nations League campaign and Al-Nassr pursue another domestic title, Felix will remain one of the players with a unique perspective on Ronaldo’s late-career journey. His comments show that, beyond the statistics and trophies, sharing the pitch with the Portugal legend is an experience he deeply values.